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Costumed Spider-Man on trial for Times Square spat

NEW YORK | The episode isn't among Spider-Man's biggest hits: the superhero versus the snow-wielding mom.

One of the costumed characters who roam New York's Times Square went on trial Tuesday. Philip Williams is accused of hitting a passer-by who didn't tip him for posing for a photo with her children in February 2013.

Victoria Goreaciuc says Williams cursed at her and later punched her in the temple.

She acknowledges confronting him and flinging a handful of snow at him. Williams' lawyer says he reacted in self-defense after a cold, hard chunk hit his head.

The defense also questions whether Williams was actually the costumed figure who allegedly insulted Goreaciuc. She acknowledges she initially accosted the wrong Spider-Man.

It's among several criminal cases in recent years against Times Square's costumed characters.